Tua Tagovailoa is bravely battling through hand and hip injuries, yet the Miami Dolphins remain optimistic about his availability for the upcoming game — and this is the part most people miss: despite physical setbacks, the QB is holding strong. But here's where it gets controversial: should the team be cautious or push him to play?
According to Dolphins' offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Tagovailoa is expected to take the field this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, even as he manages soreness in his hip and left thumb. Smith shared on Thursday that while Tagovailoa's practice time was limited on Wednesday due to these issues, there’s little cause for concern regarding his ability to play. "He's working through some challenges this week, but we don’t expect any setbacks for Sunday," Smith reassured.
For context, Tagovailoa has demonstrated remarkable durability recently, participating in every game last season, including the playoffs. This marks a firm comeback after a 2022 season where he missed five games due to multiple concussions, and then a high of six missed games the previous year because of concussion and hip troubles. It's worth noting that Tagovailoa is now in the first year of a substantial four-year contract extension worth $212.1 million, finalized after his 2023 season.
Despite the Dolphins' rough 1-4 start to 2025, Tagovailoa's performance doesn’t seem to be the root of their problems. In fact, he’s tied for third place in the NFL with 10 touchdown passes. Early struggles with interceptions—he threw four in the first three games—have been followed by a strong recovery, with 433 passing yards and five touchdowns across the last two games, all without any interceptions.
The team is also bolstering its quarterback depth. This offseason, Miami added Zach Wilson, the 2021 second overall draft pick, as Tagovailoa's backup. Plus, in the recent draft, they selected Quinn Ewers from Texas in the seventh round. These moves highlight the Dolphins' preparation for the future, but also raise questions: Should Tagovailoa push through pain, knowing backups are ready? Or would a more cautious approach benefit his long-term health and the team's success?
What are your thoughts? Is playing through injury a testament to toughness or a risky gamble? Feel free to share your opinion—this debate is far from settled.
